Lumber and Planning
When I first setup the current shop, I purchased an inexpensive router table. I went with the Rockler brand as I liked their lift. Over time I did not care for the table top or fence. They worked, but the T track slot caught on work (and I never used it…to this day I still know of no router table operation that requires or uses a miter slot…though I can imagine using it for locking in a feather board). But I digress.
I replaced the top recently with some birch ply and made a fence out of birch ply and cherry that is stout and works. I had previously modified the base but was still not happy.
New Top:
You can see the modified base with a drawer and cabinet doors to the dust collection area.
A friend recently gifted me 30 maple 4"x4" 32" long. They were stored in a shed he was taking down for over 40 years (actual date unknown). The saw marks are from a large circular saw and I know no mill in this area has used that type of saw in decades (many).
I cleaned up 20 of them and a few are furniture grade still, but most have either insect damage or punk in spots. So I can use them for furniture…but I can make something (a few things) for the shop.
The plan is to use the big timber with some massive mortise and tenon joints to make a stout frame, then add two drawers and a top compartment for dust collection. Since the sides are made from the thick lumber, I will inset the panel and use the outer box area for some fold out bit storage options (to be designed yet).
When I first setup the current shop, I purchased an inexpensive router table. I went with the Rockler brand as I liked their lift. Over time I did not care for the table top or fence. They worked, but the T track slot caught on work (and I never used it…to this day I still know of no router table operation that requires or uses a miter slot…though I can imagine using it for locking in a feather board). But I digress.
I replaced the top recently with some birch ply and made a fence out of birch ply and cherry that is stout and works. I had previously modified the base but was still not happy.
New Top:
You can see the modified base with a drawer and cabinet doors to the dust collection area.
A friend recently gifted me 30 maple 4"x4" 32" long. They were stored in a shed he was taking down for over 40 years (actual date unknown). The saw marks are from a large circular saw and I know no mill in this area has used that type of saw in decades (many).
I cleaned up 20 of them and a few are furniture grade still, but most have either insect damage or punk in spots. So I can use them for furniture…but I can make something (a few things) for the shop.
The plan is to use the big timber with some massive mortise and tenon joints to make a stout frame, then add two drawers and a top compartment for dust collection. Since the sides are made from the thick lumber, I will inset the panel and use the outer box area for some fold out bit storage options (to be designed yet).